I am a PhD candidate affiliated with the Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC). My research interests are language acquisition and cognitive development in children, as well as the factors that influence these processes.

In the Netherlands, most children learn to read and write at a young age, but this is not the case everywhere. Each year, children arrive in the Netherlands who have not had the opportunity to attend school in their home country. When they begin school here for the first time, they face the dual challenge of learning the Dutch language and acquiring literacy skills. To provide better support for these children, it is crucial to understand the role that literacy plays in the development of their language abilities. This forms the central aim of my PhD research.

My PhD research is part of the Meta-LLL (Metalinguistic Awareness, Literacy & Language Learning) project, led by prof. dr. Sible Andringa. My supervision team consists of Sible Andringa (promotor), dr. Josje Verhagen (promotor), dr. Sybren Spit (co-promotor) and dr. Yesim Sevinc (co-promotor). I work closely with Bart Siekman MA, who is conducting doctoral research on literacy and language acquisition in adults.

Study 1: Early Literacy and Language Acquisition in Dutch Preschoolers

To better understand the influence of literacy on language acquisition, I compare how children with different reading levels learn a new language. Currently, I am studying how Dutch-speaking preschoolers with varying levels of early literacy, also known as print awareness, learn a new language.